My world of turning #7: 2013 Year in review

I just realized that it has been over a year since my last entry to this blog. I’ll treat this as a “year in review”.

If I had to label it, this would be the year that I first ventured into Segmented Turning. I’ve completed 2 sets of segmented salt and pepper mills, one as a gift, and one to keep. Both of the projects were a lot of fun and provided great turning experience.

I can also say I now have 2 segmented bowls under my belt (1, 2). Both are just for personal “use” and meant as a learning experience.

Lesson: After about 6 months, bowl #2 has developed 2 pretty serious cracks where the bottom of the bowl meets the center medallion. I believe this is because the medallion is a solid (through) piece. Wood movement between the segmented ring and the center medallion is causing the separation. Bowl #1 has no such problem, but it has 2 very thin inlays (separate ones top and bottom, both have now formed their own cracks) instead of a solid through piece. I still need to find the technique that works for me when it comes to dealing with the center. Other than the centers, both bowls are holding up perfectly so far.

So far, my “preferred setup” for cutting the small segmented wedges has been using a zero-clearance guide on my miter saw along with a toggle-clamp to keep the pieces secure. I also bought a thickness sander primarily with segmented work in mind. It has already been put to good use on the second set of mills with their thinner segmented rings.

Next, I have plans to try my hand at some segmented cutting boards as well as a couple of rolling pins. I also have a couple of different segmented bowl projects in various stages of completion that have been set-aside for the moment. I’m sure I’ll get back to those when the time is right. :) Segmented turning opens up a WORLD of possibilities! :)

Hopefully, next year I’ll do better about posting blog entries on-the-fly. :)